Circular, independent needle, knitting machine



Dec. 26, 1950 B. STEVENS, JR 2,535,991

CIRCULAR, INDEPENDENT NEEDLE, KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 23, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 kg 13 i s e if 19% M Dec. 26, 1950 B. STEVENS, JR

CIRCULAR, INDEPENDENT NEEDLE, KNITTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1948 Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED s mres LOFFICE CIRCULAR, INDEPENDENT NEEDIiE,

KNITTING MACHINE EBIOOKS] Stevens, J13, Concord, Mass assignor to rence Manufa tu ing Company, l-rowel], Mass-recuperat o flllassachusett? Application September 23,:1948,Serial- N0 50326 This invention, relatesto circular; independentneedle knitting machines {for aknittin u itary.

qtubular, plain-knit :fabric having tat least one relatively narrow, :walewisetextending area of, rib

i knitting to serve, as .curlrpreventing resigeswwhen -Lthefabric has. been out: lengthwise along amedian line of such rib-knit arealeriareasmas disclosed in my Patent No. $414,424, 'January.:14,w1947.

In order that the .principle :of the invention may be readily understoodwIhave disclosed a-single embodiment {thereof ,in the accompanying drawings, wherein-,-

-Fig. 1 is a'front elevation'of acircnlarknitting -machine embodyin mycinvention;

V jF-ig. 2 is a plan view; thereof ;and

Fig. 3 is a detailinyertical section showing cylinder and dial needles.

In my said Patent No. 12,41L424-I have disclosed and have therein claimedan integralpla-ingknit fabricof indefinite:length and;the method of making the same, which fabric, excepting only ior its walewise extending, relatively narrow, opposite, free edge portions, jis plainiknit, the said relatively narrow, opposite-side portions wbeing each of substantial width in apourse tvise direction, but relatively narrow a in comparison with i the total width of the :fabric "when out along a rcmedian line thereoft0 providersaidffree edgeportions, and 1 being ;rib-knit, and thereby rendered non-curling by reason of the drawing of the yarns :pf-thafabric to the opposite facesof the fabriclby the knitting of suchmi-b-knit, ultimate edge porttions, the character mar-structure ofthe fabricibe- ;,ing that of 'a plain knit fabriczwith rib-knit ultimate lateral edges for the purpose-stated.

more such relatively narrow, lcngitudinally ext d n ri -k t ar a w ic debris/a er; rha been removed-from theknitting machine, is cut 1 flat, plain knit fabric having the described-narrow, rib-knit, longitudinally extending, lateral U edges.

This app1ication:isvdirected to a circular knit- ;macbin iifor kllil fii'ngtthe: clesc ihfidcciroular- My said 1 patent deseribesthmknitting of;such fabric either as a c-tubular fabrichaving one or hittin twon zmore1suchsi n itudinal yrex end-i. 7

z sing liri flknit areas. "After the v'fabric has sheen lknitte; t -is :removed from the machine 5 and ::is cut-lengthwise alongrthemedian line of sa-id relatively narrow, rib knit area, or if the fabric sis r-lcnittedwithtworor more su h areas, itis similarly ut-alqn eachrof them.

;.Myj1inventi,0I iiS not limited to any particular type otei-r planindependent needle, knitting machine, 151'101'" 0 any particular diameter thereof. Neither is t limited -;to ;:a :rotary needle. cylinder, nutme -rotary (ramming, andL either latch, needles ro lsmt n -heand:needles l-may e: mp ye Th :1di closedzembod menteofmya ven n owever, qisiofa c eular knitting machine havingyawrotary .n dl zcylinderend a csurrounding stationary cam ring, independent latch needles being provided. rend apref ra ly a wsinke r g is pr v d d :s -13oundin the needle ylinder. The :sinkerg'rin may h emitted the t yarns m ywbe :drawmby gthemylinder needles in descending over the tips 01 thewt eke-forming thewallsqof the needle grooves. wel k own :l ovd sira y pr v deazlare umber pf stationaryyfeeds-forrthe yarns, so that i onewevolution ;ofethe needle cylinder apreferably large number of coursesl are knitted equallingthe number @of c stationary yarn feeds. {The k arzn eeds -;will, hOWGVBL; rotate if the needle; cyl- ;,ind,e 1 stationary. ln other words, thezcamzrin is prov ed with rknitting cam at each feed, and

g 39 allithe- -needles, ;inc1udin -the;narrow segment of dialneedles-itake yarmat all {the feeds in each t-revolution of the needlecylinder.

:may;and-desir, ably dogsprovidaa needle cylinderhaving a diameter of, it may be, fourteen nches; and .1 1 lma ra t desirably do p ovide thirty-two gstationary yarn feeds. "These-figures 1are, igivenvmerely as an example, and; imposemo limitation upon the invention. ;;I;provide1adial \yWhiQhiI QtaiT/GS t-hezneedle cylinder (ifmt-he i fidle ucylinder rotates) Y and :W'hiCh may be 15a complete qcircle, .or only ,a segment, of sufficient ewidt-h-l or extent ;to :receive the desired number: of jdial needles. therefore use athe term dialfl-to ;me.an either gagqomplete circular disk 0129, see- 111m ntiofoacircularljdisk. l-provide only sufiicient ia rneedlesin su h a rl les-x cons tu exalnar- 3110i seementoi needlesitth r tot nitaonelqnelit 1y,leextenciinecstrie t h desired width. Such strip .emed an ineo i ucns rin id a nni ab i mhavr'iebricli sutalone rthe ar sult wate t g at) r Teams lth teen-marrowse mented dial needles to knit a stripe of, say, two inches in Wdth. I mount upon the top of the dial (which, if a complete circle, may otherwise be of the usual character, or, as stated, may be merely a segment thereof) a cam desirably in the form of a rotary disk having a plurality of cam lobes constituting a continuous cam track, so that in the rotation of the said cam disk with the needle dial, the dial needles, as they rotate with the cylinder n edles, are projected so as to take a yarn at each feed, as do the cylinder needles. If there are as many as thirty-two stationary yarn feeds; and consequently thirty-two sets of knitting came in the cam ring or cam cylinder, I provide the said cam disk, which is pivotally mounted upon the dial, with a number of cam lobes which may if desired be equally divisible into'the number of,

yarn feeds. The number of cam lobes is, however, not essential, the, only requisite bein that in the operation of the parts, there be a cam lobe presented to the dial needles, whenever such dial needles are to be presented to one of the yarn guides to take yarn therefrom. Thus, for example, four cam lobes may be provided on said cam disk, and consequently the said cam disk will be rotated eight times upon its own axis during a single revolution of the said cam disk about the stationary cam ring of the knitting machine.

Thus the rotative and evolvable movement of the cam disk to present the dial needles is synchronized with the cyl nder needle presenting action of the surrounding stationary cam ring, and particularly with the time of arrival of the dial needles at each yarn feed, so that the few dial needles co-act with'the proper cylinder needles and the stationary yarn feeds.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and therefore to that embodiment of my invention in which the needle cylinder rotates, the needle cylinder is represented at I in Fig. 3, and it may have any suitable diameter as, for example, fourteen inches or twenty-six inches. It is provided throughout with independent latch needles 2 provided with suitable butts for engagement with the cams of the surrounding stationary cam ring 3, shown in Fig. 1. Surroundin the upper edge of the needle cylinder is provided a suitable sinker ring 4. Suitably supported with relation to the needle cylinder I and the stationary cam ring 3 are a large number of herein, stationary yarn feeds which, if the needle cylinder has a diameter of fourteen inches, may be as many as thirty-two arranged in a circle about the top of the needle cylinder I, and in suitable relation to the stationary set of knitting cams upon the cam ring 3, which would be thirty-two in numher, if thirty-two yarn feeds are provided. In

' any case the number of yarn feeds equals the number of sets of knittin cams of the cam ring or cylinder at each of which sets the cylinder needes are elevated to take yarn and are depressed to cast off loops, the cylinder needle 2 cooperating with the sinkers of the sinker ring 4, if

the latter be employed. The yarn ends are indicated at 5, and they are drawn down through suitable guides "I from the yarn supply, consisting in this instance of thirty-two yarn packages stationarily supported above the needle cylinder and cam cylinder or ring.

The framing of the machine is indicated at 8.

It is unnecessary to describe the structure of the knitting machine in detail which may be, as to its basic features, constructed in accordance with the Brinton Plain Jersey machine, style RMP, for the making of plain flat fabric, the machine ill) being a multiple feed machine of the revolving or rotary cylinder type, the yarns remaining stationary upon a suitable fixed support extending upward from the framing of the machine in a manner that need not be more particularly described. My invention is not limited to any particular type of circular, independent needle, knitting machine.

The needle dial is indicated at 9. It is here shown as a complete circle, but, as stated, it may be-mere1y a segment thereof. It is or may be provided with dial needle grooves extending about the entire upper surface thereof, if a complete circular dial be provided, but I provide, as dia grammatically indicated at I0, a merely relatively narrow segment of dial needles which are only enough in number (not herein shown in their true number) to cooperate in knitting the single rib-knit stripe, referred to in the disclosed embodiment of my invention wherein provision is made for knitting only one longitudinally extending, rib-knit stripe. In order to provide means for causing the said segment I0 of dial needles to be projected and retracted at each yarn feed, so as to knit thereat, I herein provide the following construction, to'which, however, my invention is not limited.

Two radially extending supports I I, I2 are provided which extend to the axial center of the needle cylinder and dial, as indicated in Fig. 2, and, as there shown, the said two radial supports I I, I Z are mounted upon or carried at their outer ends by two upright posts I 3, I4, rising from the framing 8 of the machine. Any other suitable number of such radial supports may be provided, as, for example, three. At the axial center of the dial and needle cylinder, there is positioned an axial vertical shaft I5 which may be driven in any suitable way and at any suitable speed from the main drive shaft of the machine. Secured to the upper face of the dial 9 is a member I5 in the general form of a bar or segment which at its outer end may be of about the width of the entire segment of dial needles, and which at its inner end may terminate wherever desired. It may in fact be entirely omitted, and the gears next to be described (except the inner one) may be mounted directly upon the dial, whether that be of circular or segmental form. Fast, if desired, upon the axial shaft E5 is a central gear or pinion I I so as to be driven by said shaft I5, in either direction but at'a speed other than that at which the dial is driven, or the gear or pinion I? may be held stationary and the dial may rotate about it.

Meshing with the said gear or pinion IT is a pinion I8 and radially outside of the pinion i8 and meshing therewith is a toothed disk I9 hav ing, in the disclosed embodiment of the inven tion, four cam lobes 20, 2I, 22, 23, as to provide the four portions 20, 2I, 22' and 23' of the continuous cam groove which is upon the under face of the said disk I9, so as to engage with the butts of the dial needles, thereby projecting them to take yarn at each feed, and then retractin them. The disk I9 is herein referred to as a cam disk. The pinion I8 and the disk I9 are pivotally mounted on the under side of said bar or segment indicated at I5. As stated the number of cam lobes may be greatly varied.

The needle cylinder I may be presumed to rotate contraclockwise, viewing Fig. 2, in which case the cam disk I9 rotates clockwise, the intermediate pinion I8 rotates contraclockwise and the gear pinion Il rotates clockwise, or, as stated.

' warrant 5 -it :mayab'e zheld stationary. snnyv other suitable gearing "may be provided, and the {gearing is so designed and proportioned asyinfithedllustrated embodiment of -the invention, to rotateqthe cam tdish tBwupon it own axiseighttimes -inwone' com- Yplete revolution of :the needle cylinder I and l the rd'ial :9, assuming that there are thirty-t-wo stationary yarn feeds. "Any other'suitable number rot-rotations of the cam disk I '9 upon itsa'iownvaxis may be provided to synchronize-with theyarn feeds, in the mannersstated.

.5121; will "be understood that i-each lobe of the cam disk is so shaped lthat at each feed,'all rthe dial :needles of the segment I Ii-are projected to take "yarn with the cylinder needles and then are retracted so as to knit a relatively'narrow stripe of rib fabric. Thus thesaidlsynchronizing Faction effected. :At :each feed thef' said segrment i ltofdial needles 1 takes the yarn andthere -knitsrsuch" proportion ofnacomplete course as i the number of dial needles bears to thecomplete circle of cylinder needles 2. This action is -repe'ated at each feed so that, assuming there are -thirtytwo "feeds, thirty two complete -courses are knitted at each revolution of the needle cylinder, the said dial needles participating as described with the cylinder-needles 2, so that a :yarn is taken by each dial needle in of {the segtment ifi of dial 'needles ateachm-yarn feed, thus :knittingth rib stripe upon all the dial needles 21:11 '1 in cooperation "with l the corresponding-cylinfder needles.

Obviously the-character of'the knitting may be varied in the-plaimknit portion oi .thefabric as =we11aas in the rib=knitportion-or portions thereof as fully described in my -:said Patent No. ,l2;414;424.

In'lieu of the cam disk 22 havingwthe continuous cam track arranged to provide fourplaces at each of which the dial nee'des ll] 'Jareprojected and retracted, I mayprovideany-other suitable shape of :rotating, dial-needle projecting-and- :retracting cam member for the purpose. The shape of the cam track of the-cam disk should be such that v the dial needles 1 are properly proj ected "and retracted in synchronism with the movements of the cylinder needles at the same -feed :to causevall thesaidsegment H) of dial needles toknit with the corresponding cylinder needles that participate in theknitting' of the stripe of "ribbed Work. a

:As hereinbeforeflset:forth, :the term -dial is employed by me generically both :in the specification and in the claims to indicateeither a complete: circular disk or a 'suihc iently large "segment of a circularfdisktoaccommodate thedial needles that are employed to *aElongitudiinally ext nding stripe of rib-"knitting of the desired width.

Having thus described an illustrative enrbodi- *ment of the invention, itis to be understood that although specificterms are employed, they-are arsed ina generic and descriptive sense, andnot for purposesof limitation; the scope of the in- Nentionbeing set forth in "the following claims.

What Iclaim is:

1. A circular, independentaneedle, knitting machine forknitting a unitary, tubular plain-knit fabric of'indefiriite length having'at least encircl atiyely "narrow, walewise extending area of -rih -knitting, which relatively :narrow area or "areas may bethereafter cut lengthwise-one medianline "thereof to provide at least one plain-knit, "flat fabric having rib-bent, walewiseestending relm tively' narrow, side edge portions rename-men tcurlingcafter isuch :cutti'ng by i reascnwf saidn ib rknit. areas which are each alargely fexceeded lin T'Width by thewidth of thecplain knit:pcrtionioI said tubular fabric, said knitting machine: comprising a needle cylinder havinga circle o'i independent needles, a surrounding camring, means relativelyto rotate said needle cylinder and cam ring, means tofeed yarns t'o'the cylinder needles "at a-plurality of'spac'ed stations-about said needle cy1inder,a 'dial having radial grooves therein, in- "dependent dial needles supported only in such dial tgroovesas to besufiicientin number td-knitpnIy "s'aidirelatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segmentof dialneedles, cam means to project'and retract said relatively narrow segment "of dial needles, said'c'am m'eans being'carried by the'dial and rotating "therewith to project I andfretract the esegmentlofdial needles, and'synchronizin'g means cooperating with and co-related to said cam means for the dial needles and with the several yarn 'feedstations. thereby to projectand toretract the-said relatively narrow segmentof dial 225 needles at such times that saidtdial needles take yarn in each course-at each of said spaced yarn iced. stations, always in and onlyin-knittingthe same wales andain accurately timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder :3 ne'edlesand thus create accurate marginal vertical lines ofrib knitting at the marginal wales of "such zrelatively narrow rib knitted area or areas.

*2. A tubulargindependent needle. knitting ma- 3'5 chine :for'knitting a unitary, tubular, plain-knit fabric of indefinite lengthhaving atleast one relatively narrow, walewise-extending area ."of *rib knitting, which relatively'narrow area o'r-ar'e'as may be thereafter cut lengthwise on 'a median 40 line thereof to provide at lea t one plain-knit fiat :iabri'c having rib-"knit, walewise-e'xte'nding, rela tively narrow, side edge portions rendered noncu'rlingafter such cutting by reason 'of saidfribknit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portionpf said tubular fabric. said 'knitting machine c'omprising 'a'needle cylinder having a circle of in dependent needles, a surrounding cam ring, means "relatively to rotate said needle cylinder andc'am ring, means tofeedyarns to the c'ylin *de'r'rneedles, a dial having radial groovestherein, independentdial needles supported only insuch dialgrooves as tobe suflicient in number to knit only-said relatively narrowarea or areas of ;rib knitting, and thereby providinga' reIatiV'ely narrow segment'of dialneedlescam means tdproject and retract said relatively narrow segment "of dial needles in such timed relationwith the'projetion and retraction of the cylinder needles as to *c'ause 'the dial needles to take the knitting .iyia'rns andto 'knib rib fabric only at said relativelynarrow areaor areas, said means to feed Iyarn comprising a plurality of yarn'feedsat each of which the cylinder needles are projec'ted to 65 take yarn *by the'cams of the earn ring, andat "each'of which feeds the segment of dial needles "is projected to take yarn, said cam "means consisting 'of a,rnernber rotatable upon its own axis and having a dial needle proj acting and retract ing cam 'formation'land means toirotate'saidcam me'ans'upon its own axis in synchronism'with the projection andretraction of the cylinder needles.

3. A tubular, independent needle, knitting ma chine ifor knitting a unitary; tubular, iplain-knit 751mm icfi indefinite length JIBNiIIEuEiEt ileast Fiche relatively narrow, walewise-extending area of rib knitting, which relatively narrow area or areas may be thereafter cut lengthwise on a median line thereof to provide at least one plain-knit fiat fabric having rib-knit, walewise extending, relatively narrow, side edge portions rendered noncurling after such cutting by reason of said ribknit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder having a circle of independent needles, a surrounding cam ring, means relatively to rotate said needle cylinder and cam ring, means to feed yarns to the cylinder needles. a dial having radial grooves therein, independent dial needles supported only in such dial grooves as to be sufiicient in number. to knit only said relatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles, cam means to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles as to cause the dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said relatively narrow area or areas, said means to feed yarn comprising a plurality of yarn feeds, at each of which the cylinder needles are projected to take yarn by the cams of the cam ring, and at each of which feeds the segment of dial needles is projected to take yarn, the cam means including a disk rotatable upon its own axis and having a continuous dial needle projecting and retracting cam track, and means to rotate said disk upon'its own axis in synchronism with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles.

4.' A tubular, independent needle, knitting machine for knitting a unitary, tubular, plain-knit fabric of indefinite length having at least one relati ely narrow, walewise-extending area of rib knitting, which relatively narrow area or areas may be thereafter cut lengthwi e on a median line thereof to provide at least one plain-knit flat fabric having rib-knit, walewise-extending, relatively narrow, side edge portions rendered noncurling after such cutting by reason of said ribknit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder having a circle of independent needles, a surrounding cam ring, means relatively to rotate said needle cylinder and cam ring, means to feed yarns to the cylinder needles, a dial having radial grooves therein, independent dial needles supported only in such dial grooves as to be sufficient in number to knit only said relatively narrow area'or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles, cam means to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles as to cause the dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said relatively narrow area or areas, said means to feed yarn comprising a plurality of yarn feeds. at each of which the cylinder needles are projected to take yarn by the cams of the cam ring, and at each of which feeds the segment of dial needles is projected to take yarn, the cam means including a disk rotatable upon its own axis and having a continuous dial needle projecting and retracting cam track, and means to rotate said disk upon its own axis in synchronism with the projection and retraction ofthe cylinder needles, the said continuous dial needle projecting and retracting cam track consisting of a number of needle projecting and retracting" cam lobes.

5. A,circu1ar, independent needle, knitting machine for knitting a unitary, tubular, plain-knit fabric of indefinite length having at least one relatively narrow, walewise-extending area of rib knitting, which relatively narrow area or areas may bethereafter cut lengthwise on a median line thereof to provide at least one plain-knit flat fabric having rib-knit, walewise extending, relatively narrow, side edge portions rendered non,- curling after such cutting by reason of said ribknit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder having a circle of independent needles, a surrounding cam ring, the needle cylinder and the dial being rotatable and the cam ring being stationary, means to feed yarns into the cylinder needles, a dial having radial grooves therein, independent dial needles supported only in such dial grooves as to be sumcient in number to knit only said relatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles, cam means to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles as to cause the dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said relatively narrow area or areas, said means to feed yarn comprising a plurality of stationary yarn feeds, the cam means including a disk rotatable upon its own axis and means to rotate said disk upon its own axis in synchronism with the projection of the cylinder needles, and also to cause said cam means to travel with the needle cylinder about the axial center of the needle cylinder, so that at each yarn feed said cam means for the segment of dial needles projects the said segment of dial needles to take yarn with the cylinder needles projected at the corresponding yarn feed.

6. A'circular, independent needle, knitting machine for knitting a unitary, tubular, plain-knit fabric of indefinite length having at least onerelatively narrow, walewise-extending area of rib knitting, which relatively narrow area or areas may be thereafter cut lengthwise on a median line thereof to provide at least one plain-knit flat fabric having rib-knit, walewise extending, relatively narrow, side edge portions rendered noncurling after such cutting by reason of said ribknit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine com prising a needle cylinder having a circle of independent needles, a surrounding cam ring, the needle cylinder and the dial being rotatable and the cam ring being stationary, means to feed yarns into the cylinder needles, a dial having radial grooves therein, independent dial needles supported only in such dial grooves as to be sufficient in number to knit only said relatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles' cam means to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles as to cause the dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said relatively narrow area or areas, said means to feed yarn comprising a plurality of stationary yarn feeds, means to project and retract mm m at" essences the dial needles ateach i feed comprising a sup port for said cam meansconsisting of: a narrowmemberextending radially atthe upper faceof the dial, a dial needle I projecting and retracting cam disk pivotally mounted uponits own axisatively narrow, walewise-extending area of: ribknitting, which relatively it narrowarea or areas may be thereafter cut len thwise on a median line thereof to provide atleast one plain-knit fiat fabric-having rib-knit, walewise extending relatively narrow, side edge portions renderednoncur-ling after such cutting byreasont of said ribknit areas which are each largely: exceeded in Width by the width of} the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine comprisinga needlecylinder having a circle of independent needles; a surrounding camring; the

needle l cylinderandthe dial beingrotatable and the cam ring being stationary, means tofeed yarns intothe cylinder-needle a dia-l' having radial grooves-therein, independent-dial needles sup-- ported-only insuchdialgrooves as to be sufilcient in-num-ber to knit: only said relativelymarrow area orareasof rib knitting,- and thereby providing a relativelynarrowsegment: of dial needles, cam means to project 'andretract: said relatively narnew segment ofdial needlesin such timed relation: with the projection andretraction of the cylinder needles as to causethedial needles to it take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric onlyat said relatively narrow area or areas, said means to: feed yarn; comprising a multiplicity of stationary yarn feeds the cam means to project andretract the dial needles consisting of-a circular camdiskrotatable upon its ownaxis and havingon its underface a continuous cam track her-- ing four cam lobes, and means to rotate said cam disk in synchronism witlrthe projection of the cylinder needles, and also to cause said'cam disk to travel bqdily'with the needle cylinder about the axial center ofthe needle cylinder, so that at each of theyarn feeds the segment of dialneedles is projected to takeyarn with the cylinderneedles projected at the corresponding yarn feed,

8: A circular, independent needle; knittingma chine for knittinga unitary, tubulanplain-knit fabric oiindeilnitelength having at least one relatively narrow, walewise-extending area of rib knitting. whichrelatively narrow, area or areas may be thereafter cut lengthwise on a median line thereof to. provide at least one plain-knit, flat fabric having rib-knit, walewise extending, 'relatively narrow, side edge portionsrendered noncurling after such cutting by reason of saidrip; knit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the-p1ain knit portion of said tubular fabric, saidknitting machine; come prisinga needle cylinder havinga circle of independent needles, asurrounding cam ring. means to feed, yarns to the cylinderneedles, a dial hayuirig, radial grooves thereinindependent dial needle 's supported only in such dial grooves as to be sufficient in number to knit only said relatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing: a-relatively narrow segment of: dial needles; ,cammeansfto project and retract said relativelynarrowsegment of dial needle s-in i such timed relation with the projection-and-retraction oi the OYliIldBIJlBEdlBS as to cause the dial needies to take: the knittingyarns and; to knit rib fabric only at said, relatively narrowareaor areas, a sinker ring =in-cooperating relation with the needlecylinden the needlecylinder and thedial being rotatable; and the-cam ring being stationary, a plurality of stationary-yarn feeds, the cam means to project-and retract the dial needles consisting r of a ca m disk: rotatable upon its i own axis, and means to rotatethe s aidcamidiskupon its own it axis insynchronism= with the projection otthe.cylinder needles, and also tocause thesaid cam means to travel? with the needle cylinder about the axial center of the needle cylinder, so: that at each yarn feed the said cam means i for the segment or dial needle projects the said segment of dial needles to take yarn with the cylin der needles projected at the corresponding yarn; feed; 9. A; circular, independent needle, knitting ma at chine for knittinga unitary, tubular, plain -k nit fabric oi indefinite-length having at least; one relatively'narrow; walewise-extending area of a rib knitting; which i relatively narrowarea or areas maybe thereafter cut-lengthwise onamedian line thereofto provide atleast one plain-knit fiatfabZ- ric having ribeknit walewise exte'nding, re'iae tirely narrow, sideedge portions renderednon: cur-ling after such cutting byreason ofsaid rib knit areaswhich are eachlargely exceed-ed inwidth bythe width of the plain-knit" portio I said tubular fabric, said knittingniachine e51 prisinga needle cylinder having a circle of ind pendent needles, asurrounding' cam ring, means relatively to rotate: said needle cylinder and cam; ring, means-to feed yarns to the-cylinder, needles: a dialhaving radial groeves therein; indepen'de t dialneedles supported only in such dialgrooves 1 as to be suificient in numberto knit only said reli atively narrow area or areas of rib knitting; thereby providing: a relatively narrow segment of dial need-les; cam meansto project; and retract said relatively narrow-segment of dial needs insuch timed-relationwith the projection and re; traction of the cylinder needles as tofica1ise-the; dial needlestotake the knitting yarns andto knit rib fabric only at said relatively; narrow area or areas; the-cam means for operatingthe dialrnee dlesrbeingscarried at theupper face" of the dial and: rotatingtherewith to project and retract the segment of dial-needles. 10. A circular, independent needle, knitting" machine for knitting a unitary, tubular, pair: knit fabric ot-indefinite length having at least o relatively narrow i walewise extending area of rib" knitting, which relatively narrow area or i a 1 may-be thereafter cutlengthwise on a-n edian thereof to provide at least one plain-knitffi fabric having-rib-knit; walewise-eigtending; el-, ati-vel-y narrow; side edge portions rendered-non curling after such cutting by reason of-said rib knitareas'which are each largely exceeded-in; width by the width of'tlie plain-knit porti on of said tubular fabric, saidknitting machine 00m; prising aneedlecylinder having a circle of ndependent eedl 1 m m n' r m rin was relatively to rotate said needle cylinder and earn; ring, me'ansto feed yarns to thecylinder needl a d a n radar n w t-here n r i eensi dialneedles supporte'd only in such dial grooves as to be sufiicient in number to knit only said rel atively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles, cam means to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles as to cause the dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said relatively narrow area or areas, the cam means to project and retract the dial needles bein rotatable upon its own axis and being also relatively revolved with the dial and the needle cylinder, so as to cause the segment of dial needles to knit at each feed with the corresponding cylinder needles. I

11. A circular, independent needle, knitting machine for knitting a unitary, tubular, plainknit fabric of indefinite length having at least one relatively narrow, walewise extending area of rib knitting, which relatively narrow area or areas may be thereafter cut lengthwise on a median line thereof to provide at least one plain-knit, fiat fabric having rib-knit, walewise extending, relatively narrow, side edge portions rendered noncurling after such cutting by reason of said ribknit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder having a circle of independent needles, a surrounding cam ring, means relatively to rotate said needle cylinder and cam ring, means to feed yarns to the cylinder needles, a dial having radial grooves therein, independent dial needles supported only in such dial grooves as to be sufficient in number to knit only said relatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles, cam means to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinderneedles as to cause the dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said relatively narrow area or areas, said means to feed yarn comprising a plurality of yarn feeds, the cam means for projecting and retracting the dial needles being carried by the upper face of the dial, and being rotatable upon its own axis and also relatively revolvable with the dial and dial needles, the said dial needles being projected and retracted at each yarn feed so as to knit at each yarn feed.

12. A circular, independent needle, knitting machine for knitting a unitary, tubular, plainknit fabric of indefinite length having at least one relatively narrow, walewisev extending area of rib knitting, which relatively narrow area or areas may be thereafter out lengthwise on a median line thereof to provide at least one plainknit, flat fabric having rib-knit, walewise-extending, relatively narrow, side edge portions rendered non-curling after such cutting by reason of said rib-knit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder having a circle of independent needles, a surrounding cam ring, the needle cylinder and the dial being rotatable and the cam ring being stationary, means to feed yarns to the cylinder needles, a dial having radial grooves therein, independent dial needles supported only in such dial grooves as to be sufficient in number to knit only said relatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles, cammeans to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles as to cause the dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said relatively narrow area or areas, said means to feed yarn comprising thirty-two stationary yarn feeds, the cam means to project and retract the dial needles consisting of a circular c'am disk rotatable upon its own axis and having on its under face a continuous cam track having four cam lobes, and means to rotate said cam disk in synchronism with the projection of the cylin der needles, and also to cause said cam disk to travel bodily with the needle cylinder about the axial center of the needle cylinder, so that at each of the thirty-two yarn feeds the segment of dial needles is projected to take yarn with the cylinder needles projected at the corresponding yarn feed.

13. A circular, independent needle, knitting machine for knitting a unitary, tubular, plain-. knit fabric of indefinite length having at least' one relatively narrow, walewise extending area of rib knitting, which relatively narrow area or areas may be thereafter out lengthwise on a median line thereof to provide at least one plainknit, fiat fabric having rib-knit, walewise extending, relatively narrow, side edge portions rendered non-curling after such cutting by reason of said rib-knit areas which are each largely exceeded in width by the width of the plain-knit portion of said tubular fabric, said knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder having a circle of independent needles, a surrounding cam ring, means relatively to rotate said needle cylinder and cam ring, means to feed yarns to the cylinder needles, a dial having radial grooves thereindependent dial needles supported only in such dial grooves as to be suflicient in number to knit only said relatively narrow area or areas of rib knitting, and thereby providing a relatively narrow segment of dial needles, cam means to project and retract said relatively narrow segment of dial needles in such timed relation with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles as to causethe dial needles to take the knitting yarns and to knit rib fabric only at said rel-- atively narrow area or areas, said means to feed yarn comprising a plurality of yarn feeds, at each of which the cylinder needles are projected to take yarn by the cams of the cam ring, and at each of which feeds the segment of dial needles is projected to take yarn, the cam means including a member movable upon its own axis and having a. dial needle projecting and retracting cam track, and means to rotate said movable member upon its own axis to synchronism with the projection and retraction of the cylinder needles.

BROOKS STEVENS, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,216,900 Widman Feb. 20, 191.7 1,745,678 Howie Feb. 4, 1930 2,414,424 Stevens, Jr. Jan. 14, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,785 Great Britain of 1906 

